Telescopic sheath

Abstract

A telescopic sheath includes an outer sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured for being inserted into a body, an inner sleeve that telescopically extends proximally from the proximal end of the outer sleeve, a fluid seal, which is disposed between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve and is configured to prevent back bleeding through a space between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve, and a lock, configured to fix a position of the inner sleeve with respect to the outer sleeve. The sheath is configured to guide an intrabody catheter by virtue of the catheter passing from a proximal end of the inner sleeve to the distal end of the outer sleeve. Other examples are also described.

1 . A telescopic sheath, comprising:
 an outer sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured for being inserted into a body;   an inner sleeve that telescopically extends proximally from the proximal end of the outer sleeve;   a fluid seal, which is disposed between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve and is configured to prevent back bleeding through a space between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve; and   a lock, configured to fix a position of the inner sleeve with respect to the outer sleeve,
 the sheath being configured to guide an intrabody catheter by virtue of the catheter passing from a proximal end of the inner sleeve to the distal end of the outer sleeve. 
   
     
     
         2 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to a proximal end of the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner sleeve is configured to telescopically slide within a proximal portion of the outer sleeve, and wherein the outer sleeve narrows distally to the proximal portion of the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer sleeve narrows to a circumference of the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock comprises a ring configured to fix the position of the inner sleeve by clamping the outer sleeve against the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 1 , further comprising a valve coupled to a proximal end of the inner sleeve and configured to prevent back bleeding through the proximal end of the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 6 , further comprising a handle coupled to the proximal end of the inner sleeve, wherein the handle comprises the valve. 
     
     
         8 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock is configured to transfer, to the outer sleeve, torque that is applied to the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein a length of the inner sleeve is less than 50 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The telescopic sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve is at least three times as long as the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing a telescopic sheath, the method comprising:
 inserting an inner sleeve and a fluid seal into an outer sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured for being inserted into a body, such that the inner sleeve telescopically extends proximally from the proximal end of the outer sleeve and the fluid seal is disposed between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve,
 the fluid seal being configured to prevent back bleeding through a space between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve; and 
   providing a lock configured to fix a position of the inner sleeve with respect to the outer sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a handle to a proximal end of the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein inserting the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve comprises inserting the inner sleeve into a proximal portion of the outer sleeve such that the inner sleeve is configured to telescopically slide within the proximal portion of the outer sleeve, and wherein the outer sleeve narrows distally to the proximal portion of the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer sleeve narrows to a circumference of the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the lock includes a ring configured to fix the position of the inner sleeve by clamping the outer sleeve against the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a valve to a proximal end of the inner sleeve, the valve being configured to prevent back bleeding through the proximal end of the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein coupling the valve to the proximal end of the inner sleeve comprises coupling the valve to the proximal end of the inner sleeve by coupling a handle, which includes the valve, to the proximal end of the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the lock is configured to transfer, to the outer sleeve, torque that is applied to the inner sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a length of the inner sleeve is less than 50 cm. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the outer sleeve is at least three times as long as the inner sleeve.